Rent a car or not?

[Iggipolka]

We're going to be at WDW March 25-April 3rd, staying at CSR. I'm wondering if we should rent a car or not? I'd love to not have to drive for a whole week, but I'm concerned about dealing with disney transportation for a whole week. We've got some ADR's at resorts (Boma at AK, Ohana at the Poly, V&A at GF), and it seems like going from one resort to another, is a real PIA using Disney Transportation. Maybe we should just budget for some taxi rides?
Suggestions?

 

[Markstudy]

I just got back from a 7 day trip and didn't like the bus system. I was told- "A bus comes every 20 minutes"...but that didn't work for me. I'd do better if they came on the hour and half hour, so I could plan.

But I also skipped the rental car this time and tried the taxi. The money comes out the same (taking taxis instead of renting a car).... but you don't have to worry about parking, driving directions, or driving. It was fun.

I'd ride a bus one-way a few times durring the week when I wasn't in a hurry..or on a peak time.


Not sure what I will do next trip..... Taxi or Rent Car. Probably go back to renting a car?

 

[eeyoreiscool]

We find that the transportation isn't that bad as long as you plan for it. With little ones, we find that driving to the parks is easier some of the time because we can carry our house if needed.

After seeing how some of the taxi drivers drive, I am leary about actually riding in one at Disney as well.

I would just rent a car then I could do whatever I wanted.

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

The easy solution for getting to another resort is to plan on the nearest theme park for that day, or that part of the day. This saves a lot of time and hassle.
We have not rented a car in many years for our WDW vacations. Since we normally stay in the Epcot resort area we can easily walk or boat over to Epcot and the Disney Studios. The only buses we need are for the MK, AK, and DTD.
I do have to wonder when people complain about waiting for Disney buses at park closings. Disney provides additional buses for all park closings but it still takes time to get everyone to where they want to go. I cannot imagine it being any easier getting to your car and trying to drive out with several thousand other people. This is epsecially true for the Magic Kingdom since you have to boat or monorail over to the TTC, likely tram to where you parked, and then try to drive out with the hoardes of people. Last June we watched Wishes at the MK and then sat down across from the castle as people poured down Main Stree to the exits. After 15-20 minutes or so we slowly walked to the bus station. It was peaceful with no long lines anywhere. Just take your time and enjoy where you are. I love not having to touch a car while at WDW.

 

[Splash Mountain]

I always rent-a-car it gives you more freedom!

 

[dgaston]

I enjoy being able to run to Publix, or to stop at the Disney Outlet stores, and also to get to meals at resorts so I usually rent a car.

 

[pepe of ohio]

Never rented a car in over 30 visits to WDW. Have driven down a bunch of times earlier in our WDW career but always used the bus system. We're 1200 miles away from WDW and driving around once on vacation is not what I began using Disney as my vacation spot was all about. Did all that when there was no choice when first married. No vacation spots out there then, where everything was right at hand and had as much as Disney or provided free transportation. At Disney, we check in and worry about nothing. Buses to us run on the 20-30 minute average, we're on property on average 8-10 nights, we've been there on property over 30 some visits so the bus wait is no issue and blowing money on cabs when a bus will do the same really doesn't make sense to us. We plan accordingly, parks, dining and resorts in one area, different are the next day so a car or quickness isn't necessary for us plus the parking and fetching of a car everyday.

 

[coachyo]

RENT A CAR
If your budget allows for it, do it. You can use the bus transportation for the parks if you want, but having a car was great for us. If you have any kids it is even better. I know I wouldn't want to have to budget in all the extra time it would take to get to a resort meal because you would have to go from your resort to a park and then to the resort for the meal. Or you have to plan to be a park and then head straight to the meal. You loose your flexibility and spontanaety (sp?).
If you can read a simple map and simple signs you'll be fine getting around the world. We used ours daily and were very happy we had it.
If you booked with AAA you should get a diamond parking pass. That makes it even easier.
Good Luck,
YO